Myanmar, Republic of the Union of

Funding appeals and humanitarian action updates

UNICEF urgently requires US$ 2.1 million to respond to humanitarian needs of children and women affected by the Cyclone Giri

Cyclone Giri made landfall in Rakhine State during the evening of 22 October and caused severe damages in four low-lying coastal and near-coastal townships (Myebon, Pauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Minbya), in which up to 100,000 people lost their homes and left around 260,000 people affected. More than 100,000 children under 18 years of age are affected. The Government has confirmed 45 causalities. According to the initial rapid assessments, the greatest devastation was inflicted on people’s houses, belongings, and on the fragile public infrastructure including water sources, schools and rural health centres.

In response to Cyclone Giri, the Humanitarian Country Team decided to activate the clusters in key priority sectors to ensure a coordinated response. UNICEF has assumed it designated lead roles in Nutrition, Education, and WASH, and is an active member of Health and Vulnerability clusters.

In the first phase of the emergency response, UNICEF has relied on available prepositioned supplies and on the reprogramming of existing resources including thematic humanitarian funds. UNICEF urgently requires US$ 2.1 million in order to revitalise health service delivery, strengthen malaria prevention and resume the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Prevention of severe acute malnutrition and provision of micronutrients needs to be ensured. UNICEF will set up Child Friendly Spaces in the most severely and hard-to-reach communities and help establish up to 150 temporary learning spaces. UNICEF will further need funding to provide safe water to households that are currently facing acute water shortages and promote safe hygiene practices.

UNICEF Myanmar wishes to express gratitude to all donors who continue to provide the unwavering support that enables UNICEF to address the humanitarian issues of the most vulnerable children and women in Myanmar.